Guide to specifying visual signals

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Guide to specifying visual signals
A visual signal is a luminous source within a coloured transparent enclosure and is used in many
applications not least as reinforcement to an audible signal in the event of danger, warning or
machine status / system process.
Effectiveness of visual signals
With the possible exception of status indicators, the purpose of the E2S visual signals range is
to attract attention as compared with a luminaire or general purpose light which is intended to
illuminate a given area and not necessarily attract attention. Therefore the effectiveness or the
light intensity of a device as opposed to merely its capacity to illuminate is probably the
important consideration. Different light sources may offer significantly different effective
light intensity and ability to attract attention, particularly when flashing; however in contrast
their ability to illuminate a given area may be fairly poor.
E2S provides information relating to the effectiveness of a visual signal based on actual
measurements for each model within the E2S range. The information provided IS NOT
based on rule of thumb assumptions and / or calculations alone. We therefore have
confidence our measured light output values are meaningful and will better aid product
selection.
There is a choice of luminous sources,
• Incandescent / Filament bulb – usually operated in conjunction with an additional circuit,
both a steady output and more effective blinking output may be achieved. The filament light

bulb gives adequate performance, at a relatively low cost, which may be enhanced with a
freznel lens. It does however have quite a short life, and is further shortened when exposed
to quite low levels of vibration.
• Halogen bulb – the filament of this bulb is enclosed in halogen gas and glows at a slightly
higher temperature than a regular bulb. a more efficient light output and longer bulb life of
up to three times that of a regular bulb. If a 40w bulb is considered, a halogen version may
be expected to produce an increase of up to 80% in Luminous Efficiency (lumen per watts)
when compared with a regular bulb.
• Xenon (strobe) tube – operating at high voltage generated by an inverter circuit, the xenon
tube is ignited creating an instantaneous brilliant flash of light, which may further be
enhanced when viewed through a freznel lens. The energy of the flash is a function of the
tube size, the voltage across it and the capacitor discharging into it. The tube life is typically
5 to 8 million flashes with after which erosion of light output is experienced until the tube
eventually fails.
• L.E.D (light Emitting Diode) - a semiconductor device, which unlike the filament bulb and the
xenon tube emits only one frequency of light (i.e. one colour) dependent on its construction.
L.E.D technology is developing and does not as yet offer as bright a solution as the xenon
tube, it does however offer an extremely low current and very long life time, giving an
effective solution where an indication or status is required.
How do E2S measure the light output
(Effective Candela – cd) of a Visual Signal?
A spectrometer is used for measuring the average effective luminous intensity of an entire
beacon lens. This is then translated into an Effective Candela figure (cd).
In the case of a flashing beacon such as a xenon strobe the pulse duration as measured
between the 10 % of peak amplitude for the leading and trailing edges of the pulse is
measured. Light levels are collected during the pulse period, these are translated using the
Blondel-Rey formula into an Effective Candela figure (cd). This is the intensity that would
appear to an observer if the light were burning steadily.
The effective luminous intensity (Ieff), expressed in candela (cd), is calculated for each pulse
measured using the following Blondel-Rey formula:

Where,
I(t) is the instantaneous value in candela (cd);
a = visual time constant where either 0.2 (nigthtime) or 0.1 (daytime) constants are used in
calculation.
t2 - t1 is the light pulse duration as measured between the 10 % of peak amplitude for the
leading and trailing edges of the pulse.
Measured Effectiveness compared with Rule of thumb / calculated-only Effectiveness
– Xenon Strobe Beacons
When evaluating or comparing output data of more than one visual signalling device, it is
probably worth considering how the data has been established.
Rules of thumb and calculations based on the energy of the flash tube within a xenon strobe
beacon have customarily been used to give an indication of effectiveness. However when
comparing outputs derived by calculations based on energy alone, to measured outputs with a
spectrometer or similar, the output is often overstated in terms of effective candela (candle
power) and especially in terms of peak candle power. This can all too often be misleading
and unless two devices have been measured for output then their effectiveness in terms of
candela output cannot be accurately compared.
E2S state two measures of effective light output for all xenon strobe beacons both of which
have been carried out and subjected to, a fully assembled, product fitted with a clear lens,
these are,
Effective Candela (cd) – Measured: also known as effective candle power, this is the
measured intensity that would appear to an observer if / when the light was burning steadily.
This data which should be used when comparing two different visual signalling devices

Peak Candela (cd) – Measured: also known as peak candle power, this is the maximum
intensity measured generated by a flashing device during its light pulse. – it is recommended
the peak candela figure should not be used when comparing two different visual signals
In the case of xenon strobe visual signals E2S state calculated figures based on the energy
rating of the flash tube, this type of information has customarily been used within the visual
signalling industry to give a rule of thumb indication and is subject to many anomalies that
give rise to inaccurate and overstated output figures. This may be due to differences in size
and efficiency of lens, physical shape of the strobe lamp and arrangement relative to the lens
and the efficiency of the strobe flash tube itself. Other factors, not least lens color influence
light output and is dealt with later.
Below is a description of the calculated light output figures included for information only.
The difference between these figures and actual measured outputs is demonstrated later.
Effective Candela (cd) – Calculated: also known as effective candle power, typically
assumes 1 Joule of energy supplied to a flash tube assimilates 50 cd (candela)
Peak Candela (cd) – Calculated: also known as peak candle power, typically assumes 1
Joule of energy supplied to a flash tube assimilates 100,000 cd (candela) – it is recommended
the peak candela figure should not be used when comparing two different visual signals.
An Example of Differences between Measured and Calculated Effective Candela data.
As stated before when comparing two visual signalling devices their measured effective
candela should be compared as opposed to calculated effective candela. Peak candela should
not be used for comparison purposes with respect to effectiveness.
The visual signals below are all 5 Joule energy rated xenon strobe beacons. They are
physically different both in terms of enclosure and lens arrangement. Table 2, demonstrates
the anomalies and assumptions which lead to inaccuracies if the effective candela is
calculated and / or a rule of thumb is applied as opposed to being measured,
Table 1: Comparison of Measured effective candela with Calculated effective candela:
Three different 5 Joule E2S beacons.
5 Joule Visual Signal
Model Number
MEASURED
Effective Candela (cd)
Warning
Distance

Beacon effectiveness & range
A common question as far as visual signalling is concerned is the range of a given device.
The effective candela (or effective candle power) of a device may be used to determine the
effective range using the following formula also referred to in EN54-23, and IES
(Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) Lighting Handbook, Fifth
Edition);
The formula below may be used to convert effective candela into effective warning distance,
in other words, alert rather than inform.
Where Ieff(av) = Effective Candela
d = Distance (m)
The formula below may be used to convert effective candela into viewing distance or range,
based on normal visibility in day time conditions.
L101 200 22m 73ft
B300STR 125 18m 58ft
BExBG05D 105 16m 53ft
CALCULATED
Effective Candela (cd)
Warning
Distance
L101 250 112m 366ft
B300STR 250 112m 366ft
BExBG05D 250 112m 366ft

Where Ieff(av) = Effective Candela
d = Distance (feet)
Lb = Foot-Lamberts background illuminance (normal day time conditions, Lb = 2919 ft-L)
From the above two formulas the table below gives an indication of both warning distance
and range of a visual signal given an effective candela measurement.
Table 2: Indication of warning distance and range of a visual signal given an effective candela
measurement.
Effective
Candela cd
Warning
Distance m
Warning
Distance ft
Viewing
Distance m
Viewing
Distance ft
5 3.54 11.61 16 52
10 5.00 16.40 22 73
25 7.90 25.92 35 116
50 11.18 36.68 50 164
100 15.81 51.87 71 232
150 19.36 63.52 87 284
200 22.36 73.36 100 328
250 25.00 82.02 112 366
300 27.39 89.86 122 401
350 29.58 97.05 132 434

How much does lens colour effect the intensity of a light source?
The effect of lens colour on the intensity of the light source within an industrial environment
may be expressed as follows,
Clear Yellow Amber Red Blue Green
100% 93% 70% 23% 24% 25%
Please note all the above information is for guidance only and does NOT guarantee performance or
coverage.
Siting of a visual signalling device
All round light dispersion should be the first consideration when installing a beacon, ensuring
free air movement around the beacon enclosure and therefore preventing the build up of heat
from the light source emitted during the normal operation of the beacon. Vibration should be
avoided particularly with filament bulb beacons. Light travels in straight lines, the beacon
will be far more effective if positioned in the line of sight rather than relying on reflections.
Where applicable audible signals should always be the primary warning with the beacon used
as a secondary indication or status.
400 31.62 103.74 141 464
450 33.54 110.04 150 492
500 35.35 115.98 158 518
550 37.08 121.65 166 544
600 38.72 127.03 173 568

IEC 73 colours
These are the colours needed for lights and buttons to conform to the machine directive.
• RED – Danger Act Now.
Danger of live or unguarded moving machinery or essential equipment in
protected area.
• AMBER – Warning, Proceed with Care.
Temperature or pressure different from normal level.
• GREEN – Safety Precaution: Go Ahead
Checks complete, machine about to start.
• BLUE – Site Specified.
Pre-set ready or remote control.
• CLEAR – No specific Meaning.
Could confirm an earlier message.
Choose your application below to view suitable visual signals:
Hazardous area:
• Beacons & strobes
• Status lights
• Combined audio visual signals
Fire & Industrial:
• Beacon & strobes
• Status lights
• Combined audio visual signals
Article Source: E2S http://www.e2s.com/information/advice-flashing-beacons
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